Reports

Thanks to Cas Hawkins for the photos. Here’s an extract from Ron Mendel’s account, to give you a flavour.

The march was huge, well over 200,000 participants, and consisted of entire families, young and old, and every movement for social justice and peace one can think of.

More important perhaps than the breadth of support was the espirit de corps of the participants – buoyant, defiant and committed. Talking to a number of marchers (not only my family ) I was encouraged by our shared sense of purpose which a national demonstration of this size and scope can reinforce. I think I do not just speak for myself that we feel more energised, inspired and committed to building a mass movement against austerity. Of course, that means some of the demanding work needs to be done locally, and towards that end hopefully we can initiate the process of forging an ecumenical coalition of activists and others in Northamptonshire.

Unite workers have won a great victory with a disciplined and well organised approach. Click Smurfit Kappa for report. Thanks Craig for the info.

Events

30 June 7.30 Sheep St Working Men’s Club Socialist Discussion and Action ‘The Successes and Action of Syriza and Podemos – is this the future for a UK Socialist Movement?’ Leaflet: Socialist Discussion

13 July Open Trades Council Doddridge Centre Tomalin Room. The meeting will be in 2 parts: 7 – 7.30 normal NTUC business for delegates amd 7.30 to 9 open meeting to discuss outsourcing of council services. John Burgess, Branch Sec Unison at Barnet Council, will be the speaker. Unison has been fighting privatisation there for some years and now we face the same thing here. What lessons can we learn? http://www.barnetunison.me.uk/

15/16 August Umbrella Fair. NTUC will be having a stall both days. Please contact Graham Croucher at secretary@ntuc.org.uk if you want to be involved and/or do a stint on the rota. The NTUC focus will be on basic TU recruitment and building for future meetings against Austerity. We will also distribute the Vision For Northampton Leaflet.

5th April 10.30 am: Community Action and Support group stall at Cobblers Last statue Abington St to advertise their activities and opposition against Bedroom Tax and work advice sessions. Anyone else interested is welcome to come along with material/placards etc opposed to the Bedroom Tax – but not paper sellers. Leaflets: Rights At Work, Bedroom Tax

Sunday 13th April Rd Rope Walk Holdenby : Moderate 5-6 mile walk from Holdenby with fine views. King Charles1 was held prisoner at Holdenby House at the end of the English Civil War in some luxury and with 400 servants! If you are interested in joining these walks or want to know more ring 01604 702632 or go to http://northampton-redrope-walking-group.org.uk

Monday 14th April: Northampton Trades Council meeting. Details tbc.

Saturday 26th April a free Multicultural Festival will take over the Market Square in Northampton. A one day celebration of all the different cultures that make Northampton such a vibrant town. There will be live music, performance, dancing and singing and a wide range of food and craft stalls. The action then shifts to the Deco Theatre for an evening of music, fashion and performance in aid of the Mayor’s Charity the Sharing

and Caring Trust. Tickets are only £10 and that includes a free buffet. Tickets are available from me here at NVC or by contacting Zimwomen at zimwomennorthampton@ymail.com

Monday 28 April Reclaim Our NHS at 7pm at the Old Black Lion. Anyone who wishes to read a short report of the last meeting, who hasn’t seen it yet, please contact Ron Mendel who can forward it.

Monday 31st March 2014 5.30pm to 7.30pm The Better Care Fund Workshop. Kettering Conference Centre Thurston Drive, Kettering NN15 6PB. An opportunity to find out about the Better Care Fund and what it means to the people of Northamptonshire. The speaker will be

Jo Apea – Health Partnerships Programme Leader at Northamptonshire County Council. Come along and have your say. If you would like to attend please contact:- Healthwatch Northamptonshire On 01604 893636 and enquiries@healthwatchnorthamptonshire.co

Hi, just a short newsletter for want of time. Illustrations of the NTUC marquee at the Umbrella Fair thanks to Paul Croft. Please let me know of any events you want publicised. Try to keep info to the minimum, but by all means provide links. I will try to get some TUC and other useful links out when I can. Don’t forget our useful links and help pages!

6th Sept Friday 11.30 to 2pm: Disabled People against Cuts (DPAC) and supporters will be taking part in a demonstration at Atos Healthcare, Gladstone Rd Business Centre, Heathfield Way off Gladstone Rd, Dallington, Northampton,

19th September: provisional date for NTUC meeting – could delegates please let John Buckell know if that’s a good date for them or not.

Sunday 29th Sept: Manchester Demonstration against Tory policy on the NHS. Assemble from 11 Liverpool Rd (off Deansgate), move off from 12.30, Rally Whitworth Park, Moss Side 2 to 4 approx. Unison is running a coach picking up from Northampton and Kettering with funding from the NTUC and the Regional TUC. Unison members wishing to book should contact Natalie Chadwick mob 07432688376 or email n.chadwick@unison.co.uk. Everyone else should contact Ron email Ron.Mendel@northampton.ac.uk or phone 07914502895.